Edwards, in fact, goes so far as to say that any sequel “will be directed by George Lucas,” referencing the fact that the new movie is explicitly intended as a prequel to the 1977 original Star Wars that launched the entire franchise.

Since Rogue One was announced, many have speculated that it would end poorly for the team led by Felicity Jones‘ character, the daughter of a scientist working on the creation of the Empire’s Death Star. That pessimism might be confirmed by this news; after all, if all of the protagonists ended up dead by the end of the movie, it would explain why Kennedy et al could be quite so firm about the lack of a Rogue Two even if the movie is a mammoth hit.